View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerApparently Indians pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez "needs to work this winter."

MILWAUKEE — News and rumors from MLB's GM/owners meetings at the Pfister Hotel.

Getting stronger: It's not an accident that the Indians assigned a strength coach to spend the winter in the Dominican Republic with Ubaldo Jimenez, Carlos Santana, Fausto Carmona and other players in the organization.

Jimenez, acquired in the big July deadline deal with the Rockies for pitching prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, took a vacation to Spain last off-season in the middle of his throwing program. After reporting to spring training, he suffered a hip injury that turned his season upside down.

A baseball person from outside the Indians organization put it bluntly when he said, "He needs to work this winter."

It's still undecided if Jimenez will pitch winter ball.

"I'm in favor of whatever Ubaldo feels will put himself in a better position for next year," said General Manager Chris Antonetti. "Unlike a lot of our other players who we have a longer history with, we don't have that history with him. We'll have to defer to him to what he feels he has to do to prepare for the season."

One down? It looks like Tribe bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. is out of the running to be the manager in Boston. The Red Sox are leaning heavily toward naming Milwaukee hitting coach Dale Sveum their new manager.

Alomar is still in the running for the Cubs job.

Recognition: Indians manager Manny Acta finished fourth in the American League Manager of the Year voting Wednesday by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Tampa Bay's Joe Maddon won the award, followed by Detroit's Jim Leyland and Ron Washington of Texas.

Acta received three second-place votes and seven third-place votes. Two members of the BBWAA from each AL city voted on the award. Acta led the Indians to a second-place finish and an 11-game improvement in the AL Central this year.

The Indians improved from 69 victories in 2010 to 80 in 2011.

On the prowl: The Indians have interest in free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel. Bothered by a foot injury last year with the Twins, Kubel, 29, hit .273 (100-for-366) with 21 doubles, 12 homers and 58 RBI.

Kubel isn't the right-handed hitter the Indians need to balance the lineup, but he has power and can play left and right field. Kubel won't be as expensive as his former Twins teammate Michael Cuddyer, but he is looking for a two- or three-year contract at probably between $7 million and $8 million a year.

Besides finding a starting outfielder, the Indians need depth at Class AAA and Class AA. Nick Weglarz and Travis Neal, both coming off injuries, are their only options. Neal was acquired from the Giants for Orlando Cabrera.

Rock star: Singer John Cougar Mellencamp and actress Meg Ryan were spotted in the lobby of the Pfister Hotel.

Plan B: If the Brewers can't retain Prince Fielder, they will consider Mat Gamel at first base.

Merry Marlins: The Miami Marlins, headed into a new ballpark, have been active this winter. They have held negotiations with prime free agents Mark Buehrle, Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes.

It's clear their $57 million payroll from last season is on the rise.

"With the payroll increasing, I think it's our job to open up all the doors that make sense and try to do whatever we can to make the team better," said GM Larry Beinfest. "We're looking for good players, period."

The Marlins have a new manager in Ozzie Guillen. They will be playing in a new ballpark with new uniforms and what could be a revamped roster.

Patience:Matt LaPorta, whose inconsistency with the bat has put his future in doubt with the Indians, is represented by agent Scott Boras.

"Power in the big leagues is the last tool to come," said Boras. "That's Matt's forte. If you look at a lot of young power hitters, you have to give them a significant number of at-bats to know what direction that's going to go. I think that's the plan the Indians have for him."

LaPorta hit .247 (87-for-352) with 23 doubles, one triple and 11 homers in 107 games last season. The Indians told LaPorta that he will have to come to spring training and win the first base job.

Open door policy: The Phillies declined the options on starter Roy Oswalt and reliever Brad Lidge for 2012. GM Ruben Amaro says the door is still open on them returning, but he isn't going to make any guarantees.

Amaro is concentrating on trying to sign Jimmy Rollins, his free-agent shortstop.

What gives? New Minnesota GM Terry Ryan told Twins reporters that his team will enter the 2012 season with an estimated $100 million payroll. What's unknown is whether that will include free-agent Cuddyer and Kubel.

New role: GM Kenny Williams said reliever Chris Sale is scheduled to join the White Sox's starting rotation in 2012.

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